Steering-post column



May 2s, 1929. J,R HUGHES f n 1,114,786

STEERING POST COLUMN Filed Feb. 27, 1928 IN V EN TOR.

ATTO EY Patented May 2S, @29

eine strette ,TAT/IES E. HUGHES OF SOUTH BEND, INDANA,'ASSIGI\TOR TO THE STUDEBAKER COR- PORATON, OF SOUTH BEND, NDIANA, A CORPORATION OF JERSEY.

' Application'iefi rennais/'27, 192e. seran no. 257,307.

This invention relates to vehicle lsteering columns and more particularly to means for covering the space between the steering col'- umn and the rwalls of the opening in the 'floor boards through which the steering column extends. y Y

In conventional constructions the steering column extends through a iioorbo'ard opening which is usually somewhat larger in diameter than the steering column to allow the floor boards to be easily removed and to allow the 'inclined position of the steering eolumn to be adjusted. y The enlarged toe board opening allows considerable space around the steering column through which dirt, dust and exhaust gases from the engine compartment may enter the drivers compartment or tne vehicle. lileretoform'metal plates or stampings surrounding the steering column have been used to cover the space surrounding the same. These plates are secured to the floor board by a plurality of screws which have to be removed every time it is desired to remove the floor boards or to adjust the inclined position of the column. Hence, it is the principal objectof the present invention to provide a new and novel means for covering the space between the steering column and the opening in ythe -floor boards through which the column extends, which means is simple in construction, easy to manufacture and economical to manufacture. Another object is to provide a vehicle steering Ycolumn with means for covering the space in the floor boards surrounding the same which means is not secured to the floor boards but is held against inadvertent displacement by its gripping action on the lsteering column. A further object is to provide a steering column with a rubber collar surrounding the same which covers the space between 'the column and Hoor board opening through which the steering column extends, the rubber collar being held against inadvertent displacement by its gripping action on the walls ofthe steering column. Y l

These being among'the'objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain fea-v v tures of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and then claimed, having the above and other object-s in View.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a suitable embodiment of the present invention, .l

Figure 1 is al section through the floor boards and dash of a motor vehicleshowing CFI Cil

the collar for closing the steering column vopening in the floor boards. l

A Figure 2 is an enlarged sectiontaken on the line 2-'2 of Figure 1 looking toward a steel ing post collar. 1 i, v

Figure 3 is asection taken on the lineB-B of Figure 2 showing the collar before it is placed in final assembled position. i

Figure t isa section similar to Figure 3 showing the collar after it has been placed in final assembled position. l

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals referl v'to like parts throughout the Iseveral views, the vehicleV steering column 10eXtends through an opening 11 in the vehicle Hoor boards 12 of the drivers compartment. Adjacent to the steering coiumn 10 and covering the floor boards 12 or a portion of the same, is a mat 13 ofrubber or any other suitable material.

justmentof the same and to allow easy removal of the floor boards '12. Dust, dirt, exhaustgases and the like from the engine comparte ment enter the driverscon'ipartment through the openings 11 and-14 and cause great discon'xfort tothe driver and occupantsof the motor vehicle, therefore it hasI been found very necessary to cover the space between the steering column 1() and the `Walls of the openings 11 and 14. This hasbeen accomplished by using'the circular collar 16 kof the present invention.

As shown in Figures and d, the collar 1G is i made of Vflexible rubber and'moulded in the shape of an annular ring. Vlhewalls 17 of the central opening of the collar 1G are. di'- vergent as shown. the smaller diameter of this opening being approximately the same as that of the steeringy column .10. A circular opening 18 extends circumferentially around the collar 16 within the annulus thereof andthe rubber between the opening 18 and the base of the collar 16 is recessed to provide a circumferential passageway 19 extending from the base of the collar'to the opening 18 therein. The base of the collar 16 is dished as shown in Figure 3 which is 'for a purpose that will be presently described.

The collar 16 io'rmed after the manner ust ofthe steering column because or" the tact that the smaller diameter is substantially the Y same as that ot the steering column and be Y will assume the posit-ionshown in the broken `causeot1 the narrowsurtace thercoi3 contacting with the steering column. Thereis va tendency for the distorted collar l@ to push upwardly `and this also causes the smaller circumference et the-collar to more firmly grip the walls of the .steering column 10. lnadvertent displacementv ot' the collar 1G therefore preventedwhich is evident in Figure 1, which in broken outline shows one side of the collarlifted up ordisplaced Y The ruhber between the opening 1S and the upper surface of the collar merely tlexes shown and does not release the grip of the smaller circumference ot the central opening with the walls yof the steering column l0. The steeringeolumn 10 can be adjusted without touching the-collar 1G, but` when it is desired to remove the ,floor boards 12, the collar 16 can be moved on the steering column 10 .by gripping the same withrboth hands and pulling upwardly f with iconsiderable torce. Grilli- .ping the collar 16 at one point only and pulling upwardly will not move the same it outline in Figure el without breaking the grip on ,the steering column 10.

It Iis evident that fthe present invention eliminates the necessity Yotprovidingsplit lVhat I claim is: j v

1. ln a motor vehicle, the combination with floor boards having an opening therein, and a steering column ot lesser diameter than said opening extending therethrough, ot a flexible collar surrounding said steering col umn to cover the space between said column and the walls of said opening, said collar having a dished base to permit the upper edge ofthe wallsurrounding the opening therein to frictionally engage said column to avoid inadvertent displacement thereof. Y

2. ln a motor vehicle, the combination with floor boards having an opening therein, and a steering column of lesser diameter than said opening extending therethrough of a flexible collar engaging the sides oi:V said steering column to cover the space between saidcolumn and thevwalls of said opening, said collar being provided with an opening therein coaxial with the central opening thereofand a circumferential passageway extending lfrom the base of said collar to said co-axial opening 'to permit flexing Vof the collar for causing the same to grip said'steering column. Y

ln a motor vehicle, the combination with 'iloor boards having an opening therein, and

a steering column oflesser diameter than said opening extending therethrough, of means covering thevspace lbetween said steering column and the walls of said-opening comu prising flexible annular' ring having an opening co-aXial with the central opening thereot, said ring having a dished base and a circumferential passageway extendingytrom said co-aziial opening tol said baseto permit iiexing ot said ring to grip saidy steering column.

4l. In. a motor rehicle, the combination with floor boards having an open-ing therein, and a steering column 0i lesser diameter than said opening extending therethrough, of means covering the space between .said steering column and the `walls et saidbpening comprising a flexible annular ringgthe cenf tral opening ot said ringbeing formed with divergent side walls and the amiulusy otsaid ring being provided with an opening therein co-axial with the central-opening, said ring havinga dished base and a circumferential passageway extending irom said vco-axial opening to said lbase .to permit iiexingof said ring to cause the smaller circumference ot said central opening to grip ,said .steering column. Y

Signed by me a South Bend, In diana, this 24th day ot February, 1928. tt i JAMESR. HUGHES;

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